Emmanuel Adebayor has explained the reason he had to celebrate against Arsenal fans after joining Manchester City in 2009.
Emmanuel Adebayor has revealed the reasons behind his provocative celebration against Arsenal shortly after joining Manchester City in a clash that took place on 12th September 2009.
That afternoon, Adebayor delivered one of the Premier League’s most memorable and controversial goal celebrations.
Facing his former club Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, he scored in the 80th minute to hand City a 3-1 lead. What followed was a striking display of emotion and defiance as Adebayor sprinted the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of Arsenal fans, who had been jeering him throughout the match.
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Sliding on his knees in front of the away supporters, his actions sparked outrage, with some Arsenal fans hurling objects onto the pitch in response.
The match was a heated affair, with Manchester City ultimately securing a 4-2 victory. However, Adebayor’s celebration overshadowed his performance, which also included a controversial incident where he appeared to stamp on former teammate Robin van Persie, drawing further criticism.
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The game marked a definitive break in Adebayor’s relationship with Arsenal fans, who had idolised him during his time at the club.
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Having moved to Manchester City earlier that summer, the celebration cemented his status as a divisive figure among Gunners supporters.
During a three-day visit to Nairobi, where he is set to host a watchalong party for Manchester United versus Arsenal at Bar Nex Door along Kiambu Road, Adebayor reflected on the incident during a press conference.
Calling out the behaviour of Arsenal fans that day, Adebayor described the abuse directed at his parents as racist. “It is a job. I went out there and did my job,” he said, defending his actions.
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He elaborated, “If you were truly an Arsenal fan, you would not have allowed for that to happen.”
The chant which clearly insulted my parents—chants about my mother being ‘a w***e’ and my father ‘washing elephant tusks.’
“ If you insult me, I do not mind. Call me ugly, tall, or say I don’t know how to play football—it doesn’t matter,” Adebayor continued.
“ But do not touch my family, especially those who gave me a chance to be Emmanuel Adebayor. I have to protect them at all costs, and that is what I did.”
Adebayor, a FIFA ambassador campaigning against racism in football, added, “Arsenal fans today, I watch football and enjoy it. I wanted to make a living, and now it is done and dusted,” the former Real Madrid loanee concluded.
